BILL REQ. #:  H-1181.1 

Read first time 02/03/2003.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the Distinguished Flying Cross license plate; amending RCW 46.16.290 and 46.16.313; adding a new section to chapter 46.04 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 46.16 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature recognizes that veterans that have been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross risked their lives so that we may live free. The legislature wishes to honor these veterans by establishing the Distinguished Flying Cross license plate, with the proceeds being used to fund educational scholarships for at-risk youth.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 46.04 RCW to read as follows:
     "Distinguished Flying Cross license plates" means license plates that display the symbol of the Distinguished Flying Cross.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     In cooperation with the Washington state patrol and the department of licensing, the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society shall create and design, and the department shall issue, a special license plate displaying a symbol of the Distinguished Flying Cross that may be used in lieu of regular or personalized license plates for motor vehicles required to display two motor vehicle license plates, excluding vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, upon terms and conditions established by the department. The special plates will commemorate the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross and provide for educational scholarships awarded to at-risk youth through the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society and their educational foundation.

Sec. 4   RCW 46.16.290 and 1997 c 291 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     In any case of a valid sale or transfer of the ownership of any vehicle, the right to the certificates properly transferable therewith, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, and to the vehicle license plates passes to the purchaser or transferee. It is unlawful for the holder of such certificates, except as provided in RCW 46.16.280, or vehicle license plates to fail, neglect, or refuse to endorse the certificates and deliver the vehicle license plates to the purchaser or transferee. If the sale or transfer is of a vehicle licensed by the state or any county, city, town, school district, or other political subdivision entitled to exemption as provided by law, or, if the vehicle is licensed with personalized plates, amateur radio operator plates, Congressional Medal of Honor plates, Distinguished Flying Cross plates, disabled person plates, disabled veteran plates, prisoner of war plates, or other special license plates issued under RCW 46.16.301 as it existed before amendment by section 5, chapter 291, Laws of 1997, the vehicle license plates therefor shall be retained and may be displayed upon a vehicle obtained in replacement of the vehicle so sold or transferred.

Sec. 5   RCW 46.16.313 and 1997 c 291 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The department may establish a fee of no more than forty dollars for each type of special license plates issued under RCW 46.16.301(1) (a), (b), or (c), as existing before amendment by section 5, chapter 291, Laws of 1997, ((in an amount calculated)) to offset the cost of production of the special license plates and the administration of this program. ((Until December 31, 1997, the fee shall not exceed thirty-five dollars, but effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 1998, the department may adjust the fee to no more than forty dollars.)) This fee is in addition to all other fees required to register and license the vehicle for which the plates have been requested. All such additional special license plate fees collected by the department shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the motor vehicle fund.
     (2) ((Until December 31, 1997, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application, registration, and renewal registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.
     (3) Effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 1998,)) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.
     (((4) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 1999,)) (3) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a collegiate license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying detailed report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the appropriate collegiate license plate fund as provided in RCW 28B.10.890.
     (((5))) (4) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a special baseball stadium license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds, minus the cost of plate production, shall be distributed to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs, while the taxes are being collected under RCW 82.14.360. After this date, the state treasurer shall credit the funds to the state general fund.
     (((6) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 1999,)) (5) In addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a special baseball stadium license plate shall pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses incurred by it. The remaining proceeds shall be distributed to a county for the purpose of paying the principal and interest payments on bonds issued by the county to construct a baseball stadium, as defined in RCW 82.14.0485, including reasonably necessary preconstruction costs, while the taxes are being collected under RCW 82.14.360. After this date, the state treasurer shall credit the funds to the state general fund.
     (6) Effective with vehicle registrations due or to become due on January 1, 2004, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon application and registration of a motor vehicle, the holder of a Distinguished Flying Cross license plate shall pay an initial fee of forty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed twelve dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses. The remaining proceeds will be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying report. The state treasurer shall credit the proceeds to the Distinguished Flying Cross license plate account established under section 6 of this act.
     (7) Effective with annual renewals due or to become due on January 1, 2005, in addition to all fees and taxes required to be paid upon renewal of a motor vehicle registration, the holder of a Distinguished Flying Cross license plate shall, upon application, pay a fee of thirty dollars. The department shall deduct an amount not to exceed two dollars of each fee collected under this subsection for administration and collection expenses. The remaining proceeds will be remitted to the custody of the state treasurer with a proper identifying report. The state treasurer shall credit the funds to the Distinguished Flying Cross license plate account established under section 6 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
     The Distinguished Flying Cross license plate account is established in the custody of the state treasurer. All receipts, except as provided in RCW 46.16.313 (6) and (7), from the Distinguished Flying Cross license plates must be deposited into the account. Expenditures from the account may be used only to fund educational scholarships for at-risk youth through the educational foundation of the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, as authorized by the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the Northwest Chapter of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society. The account is not subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, and no appropriation is required for expenditures.